UNHRC

The recently held Fourth Session of the UN Human Rights Council held in Geneva adopted, a resolution (A/HRC/4/L.12) tabled by Pakistan on behalf of the OIC entitled “Combating defamation of religions” was adopted with 24 votes in favour, 14 against, and nine abstentions. The resolution was a major step forward in sensitizing the
international community on the serious impact of defamation of religions and the urgent need for cooperation of all to address the issue. It was interesting to note that the delegate speaking on behalf of the European Union admitted that “there were increasing risks of
stereotyping Muslims after the events of September 11” and adding that “the European Union was strongly committed to fighting this phenomenon”. She further stated that all forms of religious intolerance should be fought as discrimination based on religion and belief was not limited to adherents to Islam, it was equally relevant with regard to other beliefs and that followers of all religions were victims of human rights violations. The EU however abstained in the voting. A favorable vote would have created the conditions for collective action against the perpetrators involved in the defamation of religions.The recently held Fourth Session of the UN Human Rights Council held in Geneva

adopted, a resolution (A/HRC/4/L.12) tabled by Pakistan on behalf of the OIC entitled “Combating defamation of religions”